Brown v. Intercoastal Fisheries, Inc.

This is an action brought under 46 U.S.C. § 688, the Jones act, to recover damages for injuries suffered by respondent seaman in the course of his employment on appellant’s fishing boat. His employer appeals from the $25,000 judgment.

On October 4, 1945, respondent shipped out of Seattle as a seaman on appellant’s fishing vessel, “John W.”. The master knew of respondent’s inexperience.

En route to San Francisco, where the “John W.” was to be based during the winter fishing season, heavy weather was encountered, which opened a leak in the propeller shaft stuffing box. It became necessary to pump…